AASHE has just released the 2009 Collegiate Athletic Department Sustainability Survey Report. Among other things, the survey seems to indicate that commitment to sustainability is lower among athletic departments than compared to their institutions as a whole and to professional sports teams.

To help athletic departments looking to improve their sustainability performance, Mark McSherry, the author of the report, has prepared this list of ten tips.

1. Athletic Department leadership should be educated on sustainability issues and committed to the cause. Executive-level leadership and responsibility for departmental sustainability initiatives will be the greatest factor in success.
2. Form a cross-functional "green" team within the Athletic Department. Consider representatives from facilities, events, business admin, development, teams, corporate sales, public relations, faculty, the campus-wide sustainability team, and student-athletes. Encourage athletic department representation on campus-wide sustainability team to leverage expertise and to coordinate programs.
3. Develop a Strategic Sustainability Plan for the Athletic Department with short and long-term goals, business analysis, and organizational and staff requirements. Clearly define responsibilities and integrate goals into performance metrics.
4. Measure the Athletic Department’s greenhouse gas emissions and other ecological impacts (i.e., water usage, waste). Prioritize initiatives based on environmental impact, return on investment and resources. Set quantitative reduction goals (i.e., GHG emissions, water use, waste, recycle rates) and time-lines. Embrace transparency.
5. Assess fan, employee and student-athlete interest in environmental issues via surveys and focus groups.
6. Assess new revenue opportunities such as fundraising/development for sustainability initiatives, corporate sponsorship, and green advertising.
7. Actively engage athletic department employees, student-athletes, teams and student body in environmental initiatives. Regularly communicate to stakeholders.
8. Be “authentic.” Avoid any hint of greenwashing. Be forthright about your eco-faults.
9. Create active and visible green initiatives that continuously "touch" fans. Big splash announcements without ongoing development and visibility of the green program will be largely ineffective.
10. Aim to stand out – differentiate your program. There are still plenty of opportunities to be “the first athletic department that…”